Facsimile device and a facsimile device monitoring system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a facsimile device and a facsimile device monitoring system. The result of a transmission can be promptly informed to the user. When an error occurs, the file of the memory transmission can be simply erased, or the address and the transmission property of the memory transmission file can be changed. The facsimile device monitoring system is constructed with the monitoring software and featured in that, when there exists a file of a communication error, the alarm message is displayed on the displaying panel of the personal computer, the (memory transmission) file can be deleted from the personal computer, and the address and/or the transmission property of the (memory transmission) file can be changed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a facsimile device and a facsimiledevice monitoring system and, in particular, to a facsimile deviceconnected to a personal computer device, the personal computer deviceincluding a monitoring system for monitoring the status of the facsimiledevice.

2. Discussion of the Background

A facsimile system capable of confirming the result of facsimiletransmission from the image forming (creating) side under the command ofan image forming apparatus such as a personal computer, etc. is known.Such a system is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos.9-247,324,9-247,325.

In such a system, image data received from the calling station is storedin an image memory, and thereafter, the stored image data is read out inthe order of reception and the read-out data are transmitted to an imageoutputting apparatus.

Each time the image data for a communication is received from thecalling station, the information signifying the result of reception isstored.

The above-mentioned background-art document 9-247,324 discloses afacsimile device capable of outputting the information signifying therespectively stored reception result and other information signifying atransmission result as a communication controlling report, with respectto the transmitted image data.

Furthermore, in the latter background-art document 9-247,325, when thetransmission of the image data received from the image forming apparatusto the call-receiving station is completed by the facsimile device,information signifying the communication result is transmitted to theimage forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus outputs theinformation signifying the result of the communication result receivedfrom the facsimile device.

Prior to the devices described in the above-mentioned backgrounddocuments, when the facsimile image data was transmitted from thepersonal computer to the facsimile device, the facsimile communicationresult could not be known at the side of the personal computer. In suchsituation, in order to confirm the communication result, the user(operator) had to walk to the place where the facsimile device wasinstalled. According to the devices described in the above documents,the facsimile device has been improved such that the communicationresult could be outputted at the personal computer as a communicationreport.

However, the disclosures in the background documents mentioned above arelimited only to the possibility of knowing the communication result on adisplay of the personal computer. That is, the above technology is notprovided with a function of monitoring the facsimile device for theresult of a transmission of image data stored at the facsimile deviceitself, via a personal computer nor a function of correcting an error inthe image file from the personal computer when a communication erroroccurs.

In recent years, the trend has been to connect the facsimile device tothe personal computer, to achieve realization of complex functions(multiple function) by unifying the printer functions and the scannerfunctions. However, even though the personal computer is connected tothe facsimile device, the ease of facsimile operations has not improvedmuch.

Regarding background-art facsimile devices, there exists a facsimiledevice capable of executing a facsimile operation from a personalcomputer. For example, the facsimile device is capable of registering aone-touch dial number from the personal computer, with the facsimiledevice capable of displaying the communication result. However, it hasnot been possible to solve potential problems such as the anxiousness asto the transmission of information from memory of the facsimile device.For example, it is desirable for a user to promptly know the resultregarding whether the message has been safely transmitted by thefacsimile device, knowing whether the file has been erased due to atransmission error, or of simply deleting the memory transmission filewhen the facsimile device calls a communication partner at a wrongdialing number, and the like.

Due to the low-cost of facsimile devices, facsimile devices have beenfrequently employed for personal use. However, if the facsimile deviceis for personal use and connected to a personal computer, it is wastefuland even uneconomical to print out the report of the result of thetransmission of information from memory and/or the error message on arecording sheet.

Heretofore, background art facsimile devices and a facsimile devicemonitoring system are described. However, according to such backgroundart which is disclosed in the above-mentioned background-art documents,there exists no advantageous functional effect for the facsimile deviceand the facsimile device monitoring system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A facsimile monitoring system comprising a facsimile having an interfacewhich can be connected with a personal computer and a personal computerconnected with the facsimile and including monitoring software formonitoring a state of a memory transmission file of said facsimile,wherein, when a memory transmission by the facsimile is completed, amessage of a completion thereof is displayed on a displaying panel ofthe personal computer immediately thereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an entire facsimile devicemonitoring system of the first embodiment according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a concept diagram illustrating a monitoring software at theside of a personal computer in the facsimile device monitoring systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram further illustrating an entire facsimiledevice monitoring system of the second embodiment according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a concept diagram illustrating a monitoring software at theside of a personal computer in the facsimile device monitoring systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the network system composed ofplural personal computers and other elements of the second embodimentrespectively connected with network according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the detailed structure ofthe IP address memorizing section;

FIG. 7 is a concept diagram illustrating a monitoring software at theside of a personal computer in the facsimile device monitoring system ofthe second embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of thepermanently-stationed software at the side of the personal computer; and

FIG. 9 is a flow-chart illustrating the operation of the facsimileterminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustratedin the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake ofclarity. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited tothe specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood thateach specific element includes all technical equivalents which operatein a similar manner.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts through the views, and moreparticularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there are illustrated a facsimile deviceand a facsimile device monitoring system.

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, a first aspect of thepresent invention promptly informs the user of the result of atransmission of information from memory in the facsimile device,referred to herein as a memory transmission. The facsimile device isprovided with a monitoring system including a facsimile having aninterface which can be connected with a personal computer and monitoringsoftware provided on a personal computer for monitoring the state of amemory transmission file which includes information indicating the stateof transmission of facsimile information from the facsimile. When atransmission of facsimile information from the facsimile is completed,or there exists a file identifying a communication error, thisinformation is promptly provided to the personal computer and a messageindicating the result of the communication is displayed on a displaypanel of the personal computer immediately thereafter providing the userwith the result of transmission of the facsimile information.

A second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the aboveaspect, erases a file of information for which an error has occurredduring the transmission process from the facsimile. In the secondaspect, the facsimile device monitoring system includes a facsimilehaving an interface which can be connected with a personal computer andmonitoring software provided on the personal computer for monitoring thestate of a transmission of facsimile information from memory of thefacsimile. When there exists a file for which a transmission orcommunication error has occurred, it can be deleted from memory of thefacsimile by use of the personal computer.

A facsimile device monitoring system of the third aspect of the presentinvention, in addition to the function of the first aspect, includes afacsimile having an interface which can be connected with a personalcomputer and monitoring software provided on the personal computer formonitoring the state of a transmission of facsimile information frommemory of the facsimile. When there exists a file of information in thefacsimile for which a communication error has occurred, the addressand/or the transmission property of the file can be changed from thepersonal computer.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a facsimile device monitoringsystem according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The reference numeral 10 represents a personal computer. Monitoringsoftware for monitoring the state of a facsimile employed in the presentinvention is provided on the personal computer. The reference numeral 1represents an operating section composed of a key pad for performingfacsimile operations, a display for displaying the state of thefacsimile, and LEDs, etc.

The reference numeral 2 represents an interface portion for executingthe communication between the personal computer and the terminal. Forexample, an RS232 interface and a P1284 interface can be employed as theinterface portion 2. However, the embodiments of the present inventionare not limited to these particular types of interfaces.

The reference numeral 3 represents a MODEM, and 4 represents a network(circuit) control unit NCU. The MODEM 3 connects the facsimile device tothe network through the NCU 4 and thereby enables the facsimile deviceto communicate with other facsimile devices as communication partners.

The reference numeral 5 represents a CPU for controlling the terminaland further requires memory including a ROM 6 for storing one or morecontrol programs and a RAM 7 for storing data. Furthermore, a plotterengine 8 and a scanner 9 form portions of the facsimile device.

In the present invention, the control software at the facsimile sideenables the communication (receiving/transmitting) between the facsimiledevice and the PC through the personal computer interface portion 2.Furthermore, the facsimile control software can notify the state of thecommunication of a file of information (first aspect), erase the file ofinformation from memory (second aspect), and change the address or otherdata in the file of information (third aspect).

Furthermore, the monitoring software at the side of the personalcomputer 10 is constructed as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the referencenumeral 21 represents a user interface portion for displaying messagesand receiving the user's input. The reference numeral 22 represents aninformation outputting portion for monitoring the state of the facsimileand outputting the information to the user interface portion 21 and theinterface portion 23 as occasion demands. The reference numeral 23represents an interface portion for controlling the physical interfacewith the facsimile.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring portion 22constantly monitors the state of a memory transmission file whichindicates whether facsimile information stored in memory of thefacsimile has been transmitted (memory transmission), by receivinginformation from the control software provided at the side of thefacsimile. When the memory transmission is normally completed, or whenan error occurs, a message is displayed on the displaying panel of thepersonal computer by use of the user interface software portion 21.

Examples of messages which can be displayed are as follows:

-   -   (1) “The transmission to the Address 11223344 (all pages;        5)—completed.”; or    -   (2) “The transmission to the Address 12345 (all pages;        4)—failed, no response from the communication partner.”

In a second aspect of the present invention, messages can be displayedwhich give the users options regarding how to proceed. In the secondaspect of the present invention, as in the case of the first aspect, thefacsimile state monitoring software portion 22 running on PC 10constantly monitors the state of the facsimile. When the memorytransmission has failed, the facsimile state monitoring portion 22outputs messages via user interface section 21, thereby notifying theuser of the messages and then waits for further user input.

Examples of messages which can be displayed are: “The transmission tothe address 12345 (all pages; 4) has failed because of no response fromthe communication partner.”, “Is this memory transmission to becancelled?”, or “Or, is this memory transmission to be attempted onceagain?”.

When the user input is a request to cancel the transmission, a demand tocancel the memory transmission is sent to the facsimile side. On theother hand, when the user input is a request to retransmit, a request toretransmit the file of information in memory of the facsimile is sent tothe facsimile side. In the second aspect, if the messages are shown andreasons for the memory transmission failure are displayed together, suchfunctional information may be useful to the end users.

In a third aspect of the present invention, as in the case of the secondaspect, the facsimile state monitoring portion 22 monitors the state ofthe facsimile. When the memory transmission has failed, the facsimilestate monitoring portion outputs the following messages, and therebynotifies the user of the failure and waits for a user input.

For example, the messages which can be displayed are: “The transmissionto the address 12345 (all pages; 4) has been failed because of noresponse from the communication partner.”, “Is this memory transmissionto be cancelled?”, and “Or, is this memory transmission to be practicedonce again?”.

When the user desires to then change the address, the address isdisplayed and the user inputs the new address. The new address is thensent from PC 10 to the facsimile. Thereby, the memory transmission canbe performed to the new address.

In addition, it is also possible to change the property of thetransmission in addition to the address. For instance, in a facsimiledevice having the G3/G4 transmission modes, a mode already set as G4mode can be changed to the G3 mode. In the facsimile device having twocircuits (networks), it is possible to designate the circuit employedfor the transmission.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter,referring to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 3 and 4 are explanatorydiagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the facsimile devicemonitoring system.

In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 100 represents a facsimile device, and110 a personal computer (PC). In such facsimile system, the PC 110 isconstructed such that the locally connected facsimile device 100 can beutilized as a multiple function type facsimile device.

In the facsimile device 100, a central processing unit (CPU) 105controls the respective parts of the facsimile device 100 in accordancewith control program software and executes various sorts of processingaccording to the present invention. A read only memory (ROM) 106 storescontrol program software. A random access memory (RAM) 107 storesvarious sorts of information concerning the driving condition andcontrol data, etc. of the respective parts of the facsimile device andstores the necessary data required for the operation of the facsimiledevice such as the image data to be memory-communicated (transmitted andreceived). An operation part 101 is provided with various sorts ofoperation keys such as a ten-key keypad and function keys for performingthe operation of inputting the operator's settings and ordering, etc.,together with a displaying unit such as liquid-crystal display (LCD),light emitting diode (LED), etc. for displaying various sorts ofinformation such as driving condition, state of the facsimile device, orinput information. A network control unit (NCU) 104 executes apredetermined circuit control at the time of connecting to a telephonecircuit for transmitting and receiving the calling (message) andperforming the connection or cutting-off of the telephone circuit. Amodulator/demodulator (MODEM) 103 modulates and demodulates the imagedata and provides the various sorts of procedure signals fortransmitting and receiving the image data through the NCU 104. A scanner109 reads out the image data from a document to be transmitted. Aplotter 108 records the image on the recording medium (recording paper)on the basis of the read-out/received image data and outputs the image.Each of the above portions of fax device 100 are connected via bus B, asshown. The structure as mentioned above functions as the facsimiledevice.

Such facsimile device 100 is constructed such that a PC interface (PCIF)102, which enables the PC 110 to connect to the facsimile device 100 soas to transmit and receive data therebetween, is connected to the bus B.PCIF 102 can be an interface such as RS 232 and P 1284, etc, forexample. Image data transmitted and received by facsimile 100 can berelayed to PC 110 in response to a facsimile communication request bythe PC 110. In addition, the facsimile device 100 is also usable by PC100 as a scanner device and a printer device.

Furthermore, by performing the appropriate inputting operation from theoperation part 101, the facsimile device 100 can also cancel the memorytransmission and delete (erase) the image data stored in RAM 107, andcan change the transmission property such as the address for the memorytransmission, the selection of the G3/G4 mode, and the used telephonecircuit, etc.

In addition, it is possible to set the requirement/non-requirement ofrecording and outputting a report indicating the results of facsimilecommunication, by use of the plotter 108.

The PC 110 is a generally-used personal computer constructed with CPU,memories (ROM, RAM, HDD, etc.), I/O circuit, and IF circuit, etc. Theuser performs an inputting operation for inputting commands or data viaa keyboard 111 or a mouse (not shown). The CPU uses the memory as a workarea and executes software stored in the hard disc device (HDD), andcauses the display (displaying medium) 112 to display various sorts ofinformation. In such way, document drafting and facsimile communicationcan be performed by use of the general personal computer 112 asmentioned above.

As shown in FIG. 4, the PC 110 is constructed with a physical interfacesoftware section 123 forming a physical interface for transmitting andreceiving data between the facsimile device 100 and the PC 110. A userinterface software section 121 displays messages on a display 112 andreceives (accepts) the input indication or instruction from the user'skeyboard 111, etc. Facsimile state monitoring software section 122monitors the state of the facsimile device 100 and delivers the data tothe user interface section 121 and the physical interface section 123 asnecessary.

The monitoring software for monitoring the state of the facsimile device100 is thus stored in the PC 110. In such structure, the state of thefacsimile device 100 can be confirmed and operated from a remotelocation.

The facsimile device 100 can exchange the image data and various sortsof information with the PC 110 through the physical interface section123 of the PC 110, in accordance with a control program software storedin the ROM 106 and executed by CPU 105. The facsimile device 100 canalso send back the state of the memory communication (e.g., transmissionresults) to the PC 110 and inform the PC of the state in accordance witha request or requirement from the PC 110. Furthermore, it is alsopossible to erase a file of image information from the facsimile memory,or change the address to which the image information is to betransmitted, from the PC 110.

Basically, the facsimile state monitoring section 122 constantly(repeatedly) makes an inquiry of the facsimile communication state. ThePC 110 receives a response from facsimile device 100 and thus monitorsthe state of transmission of the image file to be transmitted. When thetransmission is normally completed or when an error occurs, thisinformation is communicated to PC 110 and the user interface section 121outputs a message indicating completion of the memory transmission or amessage indicating the occurrence of an error. The messages aredisplayed on the display 112 of PC 110.

For example, monitoring section 122 can provide a completion messagesuch as “The transmission of total 5 pages to the address 11223344 hasbeen completed.”, or an alarm message including the reason of thefailure such as “The transmission of total 4 pages to the address 12345has failed because of no response from the communication partner” whichcan be displayed on display 112 via user interface section 121.

Consequently, even when a manuscript document is scanned and requestedto be transmitted from facsimile device 100, and the facsimile device100 is directly operated, the result of transmission can be promptlyconfirmed even at the a remote location (PC 110).

Furthermore, when the memory transmission has failed, for example, thePC 110 causes the alarm messages; “The transmission of total 4 pages hasfailed because of no response from the communication partner. Is thememory transmission cancelled? Or is the memory transmission to beperformed once again?” to be displayed on the display 112, and thereby,the PC 110 informs the user of those messages, urging the user for aninput regarding how to proceed.

If the indication inputted by the user is a request to canceltransmission of the image file, the PC 110 sends out a request to erasethe image file which previously failed in the transmission, to the sideof the facsimile device 100. On the other hand, if the indicationinputted by the user is a request for the retransmission of the imagefile, the PC 110 sends out a request to continue the control ofretransmitting the file which previously failed in the transmission, tothe facsimile device 100. In such way, it is possible to request how thefacsimile device 100 should treat the file held by the facsimile device100. Consequently, for example, when a manuscript document is to betransmitted from the facsimile, it is possible to request the deletionor transmission of the file of the manuscript document from a remotelocation.

Furthermore, when the transmission has failed, the PC 110 informs theuser of the alarm message and the process message. That is, the PC 110displays a message on the display 112 to inform the user of the alarm,for instance, the message “The transmission (all 4 pages) to the address12345 has failed because of no response from the communication partner.Do you want to change the memory transmission?” together with messagesenhancing the processing of the transmission file.

If a response inputted by the user is to change the contents of theimage transmission file, the contents of the transmission properties ofthe file such as the facsimile number and the transmission mode G3/G4 ofthe transmission file which failed in the memory transmission aredisplayed and can then be edited at the PC 110.

The transmission properties such as the designation of the facsimilenumber (address) and the transmission mode G3/G4 and the designation ofthe circuit to be employed for the transmission, are sent out to thefacsimile device 100 from PC 110. In such way, it is possible to requesta change of the treatment of the image transmission file held by thefacsimile device 100. Consequently, even though a manuscript document isthe one to be transmitted by the facsimile device 100, it is possible tocontinue the memory transmission by changing the contents of the requestto the facsimile device 100 from PC 110.

Moreover, in the second embodiment of the present invention, thedescription relates to the treatment of an image transmission file whichhas failed during a memory transmission. However, even if no erroroccurs, a state informing request can be sent to the facsimile device100 from the PC 110, requesting the facsimile device 100 to returninformation indicating the total files not yet transmitted, which canthen be displayed and outputted at PC 110. Furthermore, it is possibleto designate from PC 110 one of the files not yet transmitted andperform operations of erasing and changing the address of the designatedfile.

In such embodiment of the invention, even though the transmission isrequested directly at the facsimile device 100, it is possible todisplay on the display 112 of the PC 110 and output therefrom thecommunication result including a message such as a completion message oran error message of the memory transmission. In such way, thecommunication result can be confirmed or monitored.

Consequently, it is not necessary to go to the place where the facsimiledevice 100 is installed and operate the facsimile device 100 itself.Furthermore, the recording or printing of the communication resultreport output at the side of the facsimile device 100 can be stoppedautomatically, and thereby waistfil usage of the recording paper can beavoided and all of the memory transmission results can still beconfirmed.

Furthermore, the contents of a request such as the address which is setinto the facsimile device 100 from the PC 110 can be changed and thefile to be transmitted can be erased. For instance, when the facsimilenumber of the communication partner is wrongly inputted, or when thecircumstances or conditions of the communication partner change, thetransmission file can be deleted. Accordingly it is possible to avoidthe execution of repeated memory transmission (retransmitting). Inaddition, the transmission property of the file, such as the address orthe transmission mode G3/G4, can also be changed.

Consequently, it is possible to omit having to go to the place where thefacsimile device 100 is installed and newly perform again the memorytransmission operation.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention is describedhereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 5 through 9are explanatory diagrams illustrating the featured portion of the thirdembodiment of the facsimile device monitoring system relating to thepresent invention.

In FIG. 5, a facsimile device 200 and a PC 220 are connected, togetherwith other PCS; 230, 240, and 250, to the cable for constructing a localarea network (LAN). A CPU 206, a ROM 207, an operating section 201, anNCU 205, a MODEM 204, a scanner 210, and a plotter 209, all constructingthe facsimile device 200, are connected, together with a networkinterface controlling section 202 and an IP address storing section 203,to a bus B. For instance, the network interface control section 202,etc. is connected to the LAN with TCP/IP, and thereby the facsimiledevice (monitoring) system as mentioned above is constructed such thatfacsimile device 200 can be commonly used as the facsimile device, thescanner device, and the printer device by each of the PCs 220, 230, 240,and 250.

In the facsimile device 200, as shown in FIG. 6, an IP address storingsection 203 stores the IP address 30 on the network of facsimile device200 together with the respective IP addresses 1, 2, - - - , N of thecommunication partners, PCs 220, 230, 240 and 250 (302-304). Additionalinformation may also be stored in storing section 203. For example,information can be stored indicating for each of the respective IPaddresses of the PCs 220, 230, 240, and 250, the communication partnerto be notified of the state (communication result) of the facsimiledevice or information indicating the communication partner or partnerswhich are allowed to change the contents of the memory in facsimile 200.In FIG. 6, the IP address storing section 203 includes a self terminalIP address storing section 301, a state notification enabling IP address1 storing section 302, a state notification enabling IP address 2storing section 303, - - - , and a state notification enabling IPaddress N storing section 304.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of the PCs 220, 230, 240, and 250 respectivelyinclude a user interface section 421, a facsimile state monitoringsection 422, and a network interface section 423 forming a physicalinterface on the network and storing at least the IP address of thefacsimile device 200 in memory and for transmitting and receiving databetween the respective PCs and the facsimile device such that the stateof the facsimile device 200 can be confirmed and operated at a remoteplace through the LAN. In such structure, the monitoring software forperforming the operation of monitoring is stored in the respective PCs.

Furthermore, in the facsimile device 200, the CPU 206 can exchange imagedata and various other information with the PCs 220, 230, 240, and 250through the network interface section 423 of the PCs in accordance witha control program software stored in the ROM 207. In addition, in thefacsimile device 200, the state of the memory communication (e.g.,transmission results) can be informed back to the PCs in accordance witha request from the PCs 220, 230, 240, and 250.

The processing operation performed by of the PCs is illustrated by theflowchart in FIG. 8. When operation of the monitoring software isinitiated (started), the IP address of the facsimile device 200 is readout, at first, by the network interface section 423 (Step S1), and thenan inquiry requesting the state notification of the facsimile is made tothe facsimile device 200 (Step S2). After the response thereto isconfirmed (No, Step S3) when there exists no content to be notified,(that is, no processes have been executed at all since the previousinquiry) (No, Step S4), the process proceeds to Step S6. If no requestfrom the user exists for changing the content of the memory transmissionstored in the facsimile device 200 (No, Step S6), the process is ended(Step S8). After a set time (e.g., 1 second) elapses (Steps S9), theprocess returns to step S1, and the state of the facsimile device 200continues to be monitored.

On the other hand, when the result of the request of the notification ofthe state of the facsimile device 200, indicates that a transmission hasoccurred (Yes, Step S4), the result of transmission is transmitted tothe PC and displayed (Step S5). The user interface section 421 of the PCthen performs the operations as mentioned below.

For instance, when there exists a response from the facsimile device 200notifying the fact that memory transmission of the image file has beennormally completed, the message “The transmission (total, 5 pages) tothe address 11223344 is completed.” is displayed on the display 221, asa completion message of the memory transmission.

On the other hand, when there exists a response notifying the fact thatan error has occurred during the memory transmission of the image file,the alarm messages “The transmission (total, 4 pages) to the address12345 has failed because of no response from the communication partner.Do you want to cancel the memory transmission, or do you want to performthe memory transmission once again? Do you want to change the address,etc.?” and other messages for enhancing the treatment of thetransmission file can be displayed on the display 221 (step S5).

Next, if during a preset time period, there exists a request requestingthe contents of the memory transmission file stored in the facsimiledevice 200 to be changed, etc. (Yes, Step S6), the user interfacesection 421 performs the operations as mentioned below.

For instance, in the case of cancelling an image file which has an erroroccurring therein, and for which transmission failed which was informedto the PC at the time of processing the above inquiry (Steps S4, S5), arequest for erasing the memory transmission file can be sent out to thefacsimile device 200 from the PC. In the alternative, in the case ofretransmitting the memory transmission file, a request to continue(transmit again) the image file which failed in the immediately-previousmemory transmission, is sent out to the facsimile device 200. On theother hand, when the input indication is to change the content of theimage transmission file, an address editing image is displayed on the PCdisplay together with the facsimile number (address) and/or thetransmission property G3/G4 of the transmission file which failed in theimmediately-previous memory transmission. Then, the designation of thefacsimile number, the transmission mode of G3/G4 and the transmissionproperty such as the designation of the circuit employed when twocircuits are available, are sent out to the facsimile device 200. Amessage requesting that the file which is stored in the facsimile device200 be changed is sent (step S7). Then, when there exists an input of aEND key which can be displayed on display 221, for example (Yes, stepS8), the process returns to step S1 after a preset time elapses (stepS9), and then the state of the facsimile device 200 continues to bemonitored. Thereafter the above operation is continued in the similarway.

Furthermore, the monitoring system of the facsimile device is describedhereinafter, referring to FIG. 9. In the facsimile device 200, asillustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the CPU 206 accepts an inquiryin connection with the state of the memory transmission sent by one ofthe PCs 220, 230, 240, and 250 (step S11). Thereafter, it is determinedwhether the IP address on the network which is sent with the inquiry isset as a communication partner for informing the IP address storingsection 203 of the memory transmission state (step S12).

When the IP address of the inquiring PC is not set as a communicationpartner, the process is completed (No, Step S13). However, if it can beconfirmed that the PC is one which is set as a communication partner, bycomparing the IP address of the inquiring PC with the IP addressesstored in storing section 203, and can receive information indicatingthe state of the memory transmission (Yes, Step S13), a change in thestate of facsimile transmission from a previous inquiry is sent back tothe PC. For example, if a memory transmission has not been performedsince the last inquiry, this information is transmitted back to the PC.On the other hand, when a memory transmission has been performed sincethe last inquiry, the communication result (completion of thecommunication, or occurrence of a error) and the contents of thecommunication (address, transmission property, transmission time, etc.)are sent back to the PC which made the inquiry of the memorytransmission state, in order to inform the PC of the state (Step S14).

Next, when there exists no requests from a PC within a preset timeperiod, the process is completed (No, Step S15, Yes, Step S16). However,when there arises a request of changing the contents of the memorytransmission file (Yes, Step S15), the request to change the content ofthe memory transmission file is accepted (Step S17). Then, the IPaddress transmitted at the same time as the request is checked todetermine whether the communication partner (PC) making the request canmodify the contents of the memory transmission file, by comparing the IPaddress to the IP address stored in the IP address storing section 203(Step S18).

When the change of the memory transmission contents is not allowed, theprocess is completed (No, Step S19). However, when it can be confirmedthat the PC is a communication partner allowed to change the contents ofthe memory transmission file (Yes, Step S19), the following operationsare performed. In the case of a request from a PC for canceling thetransmission file in response to an error occurrence, for example, thememory transmission file is erased (deleted) and the memory transmissionis stopped. Furthermore, in the case of a request to send the memorytransmission file once again, image memory transmission control isrepeated a predetermined number of times. On the other hand, when thecontents of the memory transmission file are changed by the PC, thememory transmission control is continued using the changes, in the sameway that they would be performed if the changes were input from theoperating section 201 of the facsimile itself. That is, transmission isperformed in accordance with the input changes which can change theaddress of the file (facsimile number), the transmission property suchas the transmission mode G3/G4 and the circuit used (Step S20).Thereafter, the process returns to step S11 and the facsimilecommunication control is continued, and the operation of responding toinquires from the PCs 220, 230, 240, and 250 is also continued.

As mentioned heretofore, in the third embodiment of the invention, evenwhen the facsimile device 200 is commonly used by connecting the deviceto the LAN together with the PCs 220, 230, 240, and 250, it is possibleto obtain the same benefits as the above-mentioned embodiments.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, according to the presentinvention, even the result of a communication requested at a locationother than at the external terminal (PC) can be displayed and outputtedat the external terminal, and confirmed (monitored). In particular, acompletion message of the memory-transmitted communication result or analarm message (memory transmission error) can be easily known.

Consequently, even the result of a memory transmission other than thatof the memory transmission requested by the external terminal (PC)itself can be confirmed and treated, without wastefully recording andoutputting a report of the transmission results for the facsimile devicehaving to obtain the report of the results by going to the place wherethe facsimile device is installed and operating the facsimile devicethere.

Furthermore, it is possible to designate and treat the transmission filein the facsimile device from the external terminal. For instance, whenan inputting mistake occurs in the facsimile number (address) of thecommunication partner, the transmission file in which the transmissionerror occurs can be deleted, and thereby the memory transmission can beinstantly stopped and re-calling can be avoided. In addition, theaddress of the communication partner and the transmission property suchas the transmission mode G3/G4 corresponding to the communicationpartner can be changed, and thereby time consumed by repeatedlyperforming the memory transmission can be saved considerably.

As the result, it is possible to monitor and operate the facsimiledevice from the external terminal and practically use the facsimilesystem comfortably.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention canachieve the advantageous superior functional effects as mentionedhereinafter.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the resultof the memory transmission can be confirmed on the personal computer, itis not necessary to operate the facsimile device in order to confirm theresult of the memory transmission. Furthermore, it is possible toeliminate the wasteful time and expense of outputting a memorytransmission result report.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the occurrenceof an error in transmission can be confirmed on the personal computerduring the time period of transmission. When the reason for the error isthe wrong inputting of the facsimile number of the communicationpartner, it is possible to immediately stop the facsimile transmissionwhen it is desired and to prevent the calling operation from beingperformed again.

Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, theoccurrence of an error in transmission can be confirmed on the personalcomputer during the time period of transmission. When the reason for theerror is the wrong inputting of the facsimile number of thecommunication partner, it is possible to immediately change thefacsimile number. Therefore, it possible to eliminate the wasteful timeand expense of performing the transmission over and over again.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described heretofore.However, other numerous embodiments or numerous modifications orvariations of the invention are possible in light of the aboveteachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope ofthe appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described herein.

Having now fully described the invention, it will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can bemade thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth herein. This application is based on JapanesePatent Application No. JPAP10-333,292, filed on Nov. 24, 1998, andJapanese Patent Application No. JPAP11-190,752, filed on Jul. 5, 1999the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

1. A facsimile monitoring system comprising: a facsimile having aninterface which can be connected with a personal computer; and apersonal computer connected with the facsimile and including monitoringsoftware for monitoring a state of a memory transmission file of saidfacsimile, wherein, when a memory transmission by the facsimile iscompleted, a message of a completion thereof is displayed on adisplaying panel of said personal computer immediately thereafter.
 2. Afacsimile monitoring system comprising: a facsimile having an interfacewhich can be connected with a personal computer; and a personal computerconnected with the facsimile and including monitoring software formonitoring a state of a memory transmission file of said facsimile,wherein, when there exists a communication error by the facsimile amessage of an alarm is displayed on a displaying panel of said personalcomputer immediately thereafter.
 3. A facsimile monitoring systemcomprising: a facsimile device having an interface which can beconnected with a personal computer; and a personal computer connectedwith the facsimile and including monitoring a state of a memorytransmission file of said facsimile device, wherein, when there exists afile in said facsimile device indicating a communication error, saidfile of communication error can be deleted using said personal computer.4. A facsimile monitoring system comprising: a facsimile device havingan interface which can be connected with a personal computer; and apersonal computer connected with the facsimile device and includingmonitoring software for monitoring a state of a memory transmission fileof said facsimile device, wherein, when there exists a file in saidfacsimile device indicating a communication error, an address of saidcommunication error file and a transmission property thereof can bechanged from said personal computer.
 5. A facsimile monitoring systemcomprising: a facsimile device having an interface which can beconnected with a personal computer; and a personal computer connectedwith the facsimile and including monitoring software for monitoring astate of a memory transmission file of said facsimile device, wherein,when there exists a file in said facsimile device indicating acommunication error, at least one of an address of said communicationerror file and a transmission property thereof can be changed from saidpersonal computer.
 6. A method of monitoring a facsimile devicecomprising the steps of: monitoring a state of a memory transmission ofsaid facsimile; and displaying a message of a completion of the memorytransmission on a displaying panel for a personal computer, immediatelyafter the memory transmission is completed.
 7. A method of monitoring afacsimile device comprising the steps of: monitoring a state of a memorytransmission file of said facsimile; and displaying an error messageindicating a communication error in the memory transmission on adisplaying panel of a personal computer, immediately after thecommunication error occurs.
 8. A method of monitoring a facsimile devicecomprising the steps of: monitoring a state of a memory transmissionfile of said facsimile device; and deleting a file indicating acommunication error in said facsimile device from a personal computer,when there exists a file indicating the communication error.
 9. A methodof monitoring a facsimile device comprising the steps of: monitoring astate of a memory transmission of said facsimile device; and changing anaddress in a communication error file and a transmission propertythereof from a personal computer, when there exists the communicationerror file.
 10. A method of monitoring a facsimile device comprising thesteps of: monitoring a state of a memory transmission of said facsimiledevice; and changing an address in a communication error file and atransmission property thereof from a personal computer, when thereexists the communication error file.
 11. A facsimile device monitoringsystem for monitoring a communication result of a facsimile device froman external terminal, comprising: a facsimile device provided with aresult sending-out medium sending out a communication result to anexternal terminal, an external terminal provided with a display mediumdisplaying and outputting the communication result sent from saidfacsimile device, and a result monitoring medium executing an operationof sending out a result of the communication performed by said facsimiledevice to said external terminal periodically or per each communication.12. The facsimile device monitoring system as defined in claim 11,wherein said result monitoring medium monitors a state of a memorytransmission file of said facsimile device, and wherein said resultmonitoring medium sends out a completion result or an error result ofthe memory transmission to said external terminal, and wherein saidexternal terminal outputs a completion message or an alarm message as acompletion result or an error result.
 13. The facsimile devicemonitoring system as defined in claim 11, wherein said external terminalis provided with an indication medium for designating a transmissionfile to be held in memory of said facsimile device and for indicatingtreatment of said transmission file, and further comprising: a filetreatment medium for treating the file in the memory of said facsimiledevice on a basis of the indication from said indication medium.
 14. Thefacsimile device monitoring system as defined in claim 12, wherein saidexternal terminal is provided with an indication medium designating thetransmission file to be held in a memory of said facsimile device andindicating a treatment of said transmission file, and furthercomprising: a file treatment medium for treating the file in the memoryof said facsimile device on the basis of the indication from saidindication medium.
 15. The facsimile device monitoring system as definedin claim 13, wherein said file treatment medium deletes a transmissionerror file designated on a basis of the indication transmitted by saidindication medium, from the memory of said facsimile device.
 16. Thefacsimile device monitoring system as defined in claim 14, wherein saidfile treatment medium deletes a transmission error file designated on abasis of the indication transmitted by said indication medium from thememory of said facsimile device.
 17. The facsimile device monitoringsystem as defined in claim 13, wherein said medium changes one or moreof an address of the designated transmission error file and atransmission property.
 18. The facsimile device monitoring system asdefined in claim 14, wherein said file treatment medium changes one ormore of an address of the designated transmission error file and atransmission property.